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Daniel Craig is So “Money” in the New Trailer for Cowboys & Aliens‏

A new trailer, which previewed at Spike TV’s "Guys Choice Awards", has hit the web this weekend. In it, Daniel Craig gives the impression that his Jake Lonergan (love that name, although is it just me or does it conjure up images of Robert Shaw in The Sting?*)is a distant, wild west cousin of James Bond. He’s even got a cool gadget-y bracelet. There’s much more action in this clip than in any of the previous trailers and clips, which is just fine by me, and was probably done to suit its initial Spike TV audience.

For my part, I’ve watched the thing four times now and I get goosebumps every time. Of course, we see more of Craig’s preternaturally blue eyes in this one…that might have something to do with it…just sayin’.

The synopsis for this film is long and involved…

"1873. Arizona Territory. A stranger with no memory of his past (Craig) stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don’t welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford). It’s a town that lives in fear. But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known. Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and where he’s been, he realizes he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. With the help of the elusive traveler Ella (Olivia Wilde), he pulls together a posse comprised of former opponents – townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws and Apache warriors – all in danger of annihilation. United against a common enemy, they will prepare for an epic showdown for survival."

But read that and then watch the trailer and it all makes sense…

The film, which in addition to Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford (playing Indiana Jones grandfather I think,) stars Sam Rockwell (who appears to be channeling Jason Priestly from Tombstone,) and is directed by Jon Favreau, who after Iron Man 1 & 2 knows exactly how "money" he is. It’s produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg (!) and the king of all Hollywood, Ryan Kavanaugh and opens in theaters July 29.

Do not expect this to be the last word from me on this subject!

*Yes, I know Robert Shaw’s character in The Sting was ‘Doyle Lonnegan’